Frieri, Angels shell-shocked in 9th

July 29, 2013

Updated Aug. 21, 2013 12:28 p.m.

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Angels relief pitcher Ernesto Frieri waits for a new ball after giving up a solo home run to the Rangers' A.J. Pierzynski, left, that tied the game in the ninth inning. Before the inning was over, Geovany Soto went deep as well with the winning homer. JIM COWSERT, AP

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The Rangers' Geovany Soto starts to circle the bases after hitting a winning home run off Angels closer Ernesto Frieri with two outs in the ninth inning Monday. JIM COWSERT, AP

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Texas players celebrate as they wait for teammate Geovany Soto to touch home plate after his winning home run in the ninth inning against the Angels. RONALD MARTINEZ, GETTY IMAGES

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Texas' A.J. Pierzynski points to the Rangers bench as he rounds the bases on his tying home run against the Angels during the ninth inning. JIM COWSERT, AP

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Texas Rangers' Elvis Andrus, left, dives ahead of the throw to Angels catcher Hank Conger for a run during the eighth inning. JIM COWSERT, AP

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Josh Hamilton connects for a two-run single in front of Rangers catcher Geovany Soto during the fifth inning Monday. JIM COWSERT, AP

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Erick Aybar is congratulated by Angels teammates after scoring against the Rangers during the fifth inning. JIM COWSERT, AP

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Angels starter Jered Weaver pitches in the first inning against the Texas Rangers on Monday. Weaver allowed just one run on five hits in seven innings. BRANDON WADE, MCT

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J.B. Shuck rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run against the Texas Rangers on Monday. RONALD MARTINEZ, GETTY IMAGES

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The Angels' J.B. Shuck, left, is congratulated by teammate Erick Aybar after hitting a solo home run against the Rangers during the fifth inning. JIM COWSERT, AP

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Texas Rangers starting pitcher Matt Garza waits for a new ball after giving up a solo home run to the Angels' J.B. Shuck during the fifth inning. JIM COWSERT, AP

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The Angels' Kole Calhoun connects for a single against the Rangers during the third inning. JIM COWSERT, AP

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The Angels' Josh Hamilton and Rangers' David Murphy talk after the top of the first inning Monday. BRANDON WADE, MCT

Angels relief pitcher Ernesto Frieri waits for a new ball after giving up a solo home run to the Rangers' A.J. Pierzynski, left, that tied the game in the ninth inning. Before the inning was over, Geovany Soto went deep as well with the winning homer.JIM COWSERT, AP

ARLINGTON, Texas – Memo to pitching coaches: When trying to relate to pitchers that location is more important than velocity, cue up a video of the Angels' 4-3 loss to the Texas Rangers on Monday night.

Jered Weaver, who was throwing his fastball around 86-88 mph, sliced and diced the Rangers for seven dominant innings.

"The radar gun is not where I want it to be, but things are coming out easy and the location is good," Weaver said.

Then in the ninth inning, Ernesto Frieri took the mound firing 94-95 mph fastballs. Frieri gave up a tying homer to A.J. Pierzynski and, two outs later, a winning homer to Geovany Soto. Just like that, the Angels had suffered one of their most disheartening losses of a disappointing season.

"Every time I miss my location I get hurt, really bad," said Frieri, who allowed five runs in a game last week. "Anytime you face big league hitters, you need to make your pitches. If you don't, you are going to get hurt."

The pain was still etched on Frieri's face as he sat, inconsolable, in the Angels clubhouse. Though Frieri normally seems to get over the disappointment of his rare blown saves quickly, this one clearly stung.

The Angels' goal of getting back into the playoff race continued to look more unlikely, if not impossible. They have lost four in a row and seven of their past nine. They have lost five of eight against the Oakland Athletics and Rangers in this critical stretch, when they play 13 of 20 against those teams.

"Games now are very important," Weaver said. "We're trying to do what we can to battle and win games and it's not working out for us. We're going to go out fighting and scratching and clawing and trying to get back into this. We can't let games like this slip away."

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